Telecommunications Fundamentals: Hands-On Network Convergence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? This course has both a strategic and technical focus that helps you make sense of the complex options for applying modern technologies to converged networks. You gain a practical understanding of the technologies required to facilitate the convergence of data, voice and video in today's communications networks. You also learn how to choose appropriate technologies to solve real-world problems. Who will benefit from this course? This course benefits people who need the knowledge and skills to design, implement or manage a converged network infrastructure. This includes communication professionals who need to understand the range of technologies required to transmit multimedia information-including data, video and voice-and need to apply this knowledge in their organizations. What kinds of organizations benefit from this course? Government and business organizations of all kinds-small/medium enterprises (SME), enterprises or service providers-send their people to this course. Any organization considering or involved in implementing a converged network or applications (e.g., VoIP, video conferencing, unified communications, IPTV) should consider this course. What background do I need? You should have experience working in a telecommunications or data communications environment. Basic networking knowledge equivalent to Course 450, A Comprehensive Introduction to Networking, is recommended and would facilitate more active participation in this course. For example, you should be familiar with data networking concepts, such as frames, packets, addressing, LANs, WANs and protocol suites. You should also understand the basic operation of LAN switches and routers. Does the course cover WAN and LAN services, as well as current topics such as MPLS, VoIP and IPTV? The course covers all of these topics at an introductory level. While these topics are addressed in greater detail in other Learning Tree courses, in this course, you gain an understanding of how and when to apply each of these important new technologies to your network. I'm interested in doing more video conferencing. Will this course help? Yes. This course covers the underlying technologies to implement an infrastructure that integrates video conferencing and other performance-sensitive applications. Does this course cover how to set up VoIP? This course covers using VoIP on an integrated network. For extensive coverage of VoIP, you might consider Course 461, Voice over IP: Hands-On. Does this course help me to operate my converged infrastructure? Yes. This course covers network management, service level agreements (SLAs) and network auditing. You also have the opportunity to apply these monitoring tools to a case study. How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours Introduction to network convergence 3.0 Evaluating service provider technologies 4.0 Building IP networks 3.0 Strengthening the infrastructure 3.0 Delivering end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) 3.5 Transitioning to an integrated solution 3.0 Managing your infrastructure 3.5 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. What do the course activities cover? You spend approximately 40 percent of class time in course activities. This course uses an extended case study to illustrate how a converged network could be developed in your organization. Through workshops, you focus on planning specific aspects of the network design and also learn how to identify and manage critical performance criteria. In the hands-on exercises, you apply key technologies to a network that simulates both customer and provider environments. How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? In addition to Course 450, A Comprehensive Introduction to Networking, which is helpful for those new to networking, other courses of interest include: 461, Voice over IP: Hands-On provides the skills to ensure Quality of Service for VoIP traffic, take advantage of VoIP for new and innovative applications, and configure and operate SIP and H.323 for VoIP 451, Network Configuration and Troubleshooting: Hands-On provides the necessary skills to configure, maintain and troubleshoot multiple network configurations using a comprehensive set of tools and techniques 946, Migrating to IPv6: Hands-On offers the knowledge and skills to design, implement, verify and troubleshoot an IPv6 network within your organization The following related courses may also be of interest: 371, Implementing and Troubleshooting Wi-Fi® Networks: Hands-On  170, Deploying Virtual Server and Workstation Technology: Hands-On  174, Storage Technology Foundations (Information Storage and Management)  364, Switches and Routers: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction  For Cisco training, you may be interested in the following: 466, Cisco® Networking: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction  481, Configuring Cisco® Routers: Advanced Hands-On Workshop  460, Implementing Cisco® Multilayer Switched Networks: Hands-On